You're spoilt for choice when it comes to cycle paths in Amsterdam.
The Dutch capital is a cyclist's playground, where bikes far outnumber people.
Amsterdam is full of great places for scenic bike rides, whether you're looking for a day trip out of town, a ride through lush forest or an urban cycle in the city.
Today, I'm going to tell you all about it.
Bike path in Amsterdam: article summary
Amsterdam cycle path: take a ride in the forest
Amsterdam abounds in lush green spaces and beautiful scenic routes to take your bike. If you're looking for a peaceful ride in Amsterdam, get closer to nature with this refreshing bike path for outdoor enthusiasts.
Large forests and vast parks lend themselves well to cycling, so rendezvous at Amsterdamse Bos on the outskirts of the city. Bos means "forest" in Dutch, and this urban forest is simply stunning.
Sparkling lakes, long narrow bike paths and many tall evergreen trees form your backdrop.
How do I get there?
To get to this place, you have to cross Vondelpark and continue. In 25 minutes, you'll be in Amsterdam Bos and ready to explore the beauty of the forest.
Cycling along the canals
Discover the real city, pedaling along the canals and making stops along the way. Explore Amsterdam's most famous district: the Jordaan.
Stroll through the nine streets (a trendy shopping district), past the Anne Frank House and stop for lunch and stroopwafels at the city's trendiest market, Albert Cuypmarkt.
This itinerary is full of fun and a cool tour of Amsterdam's sights.
How do I get there?
The first step is to pass the Anne Frank House. After heading south towards the Rijksmuseumyou will have to pass in front of the Heineken Experience. You can then explore one of Amsterdam's parks, at Oosterpark.
Finally, all you have to do is cycle back to the center along the Amstel river. It's a great way to spend a day with family and friends.
Amsterdam cycle path: a route for beginners
Even though Amsterdam is one of the safest places to cycle in the world, some might not feel 100 % confident on two wheels in a foreign city.
Take your time to ride along the canals on this simple circuit. From your bike, you can enjoy the botanical gardens, the science museum or the Hermitage Amsterdam gallery.
Prefer the Amsterdam countryside
If you want to get away from Amsterdam, I recommend a trip to the city's countryside. Cycle to Zaandam, just north of Amsterdam, and enjoy the picturesque, colorful charm of this town.
On this route, you will pass the Zaandam windmills, the famous Zaan River and the Zaanse Schans. You'll also pass through lush Dutch countryside for most of the journey.
The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of Zaandam full of authentic wooden houses windmillshangars and workshops.
Enter the little stores, enjoy the view of the river and admire the colorful architectural masterpiece that is the Inntel Hotel. This inn is made up of Dutch buildings stacked on top of each other, looking like something you'd see in a cartoon.
Amsterdam bike path: a full day out of Amsterdam
If you come to Amsterdam and want to visit the surrounding villages, I recommend you do so by bike. These include Edam (the birthplace of Edam cheese), Volendam and Marken.
Together, these three villages are known as Waterland, with beautiful canals and picturesque narrow Dutch houses.
On the way to Amsterdam, you'll pass through some incredible deep Dutch countryside. You'll need a full day to complete this itinerary, because you'll want to stop and explore every spot.
However, make sure you can keep up with the pace so you don't get stuck away from your theme.
If you're too tired, know that you can always take the ferry back to Amsterdam.
Take advantage of the cycle paths in and around Amsterdam to discover some exceptional places. In the city, in the forest or in the countryside, The Netherlands is the perfect place to enjoy some great cycling.
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